Global gene expression profile of colon biopsy samples from healthy patients and colorectal cancer.

Mutations in Integrator complex subunit 6 (INTS6) correlate with different types of tumors. Lack of Integrator complex function, measured by an increased level of unprocessed snRNA, is a prognostic biomarker and correlates with a poorer prognosis in colorectal patients. The transcriptomic profile of all analyzed colorectal tumors shows a strong alteration of the metabolic state of tumor cells compromising standard energy production by mitochondrial respiration, known as the Warburg effect. In addition, there is a significant upregulation of genes involved in extracellular matrix organization and collagen rearrangement. This is consistent with tissue reorganization in a growing tumor forming a polyp. Crossing the molecular data generated in this study with the follow-up of patients from population screening indicates that population screening combined with early typing of tumors appear to be the most efficient way to increase patient survival.